ARDC Weekly results 98-03-19

Bill Tittle Wins Slate Belt Auto Parts ARDC/Modified Challenge Race

Easton, Pa., March 20 --- The ARDC/Modified Challenge Race Series got a sponsor and new winner, Modified driver, Bill Tittle of Saylorsburg, Pa., survived a hotly contested feature event to win the second and final round of the ARDC/Modified Challenge Race Series sponsored by Slate Belt Auto Parts, Inc. in Bangor, Pa. Round Two of the Challenge was run on Sunday, March 15, at S&S Speedway. The first race was held at Fast Trax in Broadway, New Jersey and was won by Modified driver, Richie Smith of Kunkletown, Pa. At S&S Speedway, the indoor kart racing facility in Effort, Pa., the format included time trials to determine starting positions for the qualifying heat races. ARDC driver, Doug Borger of Kunkletown, Pa., set fast time for the day. The ARDC heat races were won by Borger and Dan Shelbo of Bethlehem, Pa. Richie Smith and his son, Joel Smith, won the Modified heat races. Ms. Motorsports, Kimberly Whitehead, waved the green flag for the start of the feature. Then, official ARDC Starter, Ron Grater, took over on the flag stand. Kim stood at the entrance of turn one with Area Auto Racing News columnist, Earl Krause, as he announced the race. Eventually, Kim was asked to leave that area because it took four attempts to get the entire field through turns one and two without multi-car pile ups! Bill Tittle drew the pole position for the feature and led every lap. But, the win was not as easy as just staying in front of the pack. Tittle was pressured by "The King of Indoor Kart Racing", Richie Smith, and ARDC driver, Gary Mondschein. At one point during the Challenge race, Tittle's car was completely sideways coming down the front stretch. Tittle was successful in straightening the car out and holding on to the lead. The Richie Smith-Gary Mondschein battle for second was so intense that a crash between turns three and four took both drivers out of the race. When Ron Grater waved the checkered flags, Bill Tittle was the winner. Tittle was followed by Sportsman Modified Rookie, Joel Smith. Brent Tittle, Butch Tittle and Doug Borger completed the top five. Tittle celebrated his win in Victory Lane with Ms. Motorsports Kimberly Whitehead and Pennzoil representative Ed Pados. Pados presented the winner with Pennzoil products. The top three finishers also received trophies from White Trophy Company in Bensalem, Pa.

Race Summary: Bill Tittle, Joel Smith, Brent Tittle, Butch Tittle, Doug Borger, Tom Martocci, Dan Shelbo, Mike Lapp, Richie Smith and Gary Mondschein. DNQ: Ron Dunstan, Ron Lauer, Richard Frantz and John Richetta.